Copy holder for use with typewriters, calculating, and like machines



Feb. 7, 1939. -r L. coPPocK y COPY HOLDER FOR USE WITH TYPEWRITERS,CALCULATING AND LIKE MACHlNES Filed sept. 1a, 1937 /M/NRE 71210/1796 LJ.CoP/Doc/Q 5j v f l Patented Feb. 7, 1939 COPY HOLDER Fon USE wrrH TYPE-WRITERS, GALCULATING, AND LIKE MA- CHINES Thomas Lewis Ccppock, BuenosAires, Argentina Application september 1a, 1937, serial No. 163,666 v InGreat Britain September 17, 1936 e Claims. Y (Cl. 1Z0- 28) lThisinvention relates to a copy holder for use with typewriters, calculatingand like machines.

The main object of the invention is to provide Va Acopy holder which isheld in position at the side of the machine by and against the Weight ofthe machine, thereby to enable a very simple and quickly mounted holderto be economically constructed, which can be quickly removed whendesired, and which, in position, holds the copy upright and at aconvenient distance before the eyes for comfortable reading withoutstrain and without the necessity for undue twisting of the neck. Theterm upright includes various positions tilted back from the vertical,and is not restricted to a vertical position, the angle at which thecopy is held being that most convenient for sighting. f

f A subsidiary object of the invention is to provide means for clampingthe copy holder in position against the weight of the machine.

A further object is to provide means for adjusting the copy holder as toheight for cooperation vwith machines the frames of which are atdiierent heights from a supporting surface,

325 i. e. they may have relatively high or low feet.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for mechanicallylocking the holder to the machine frame so that it cannot be accidentally displaced.

Other objects of theinventioniprovide for ad- -justing the sightingangle at which the copy is held, simple methods of fixing and holdingthe COPY 0n the holder, and of giving a line guide whereby the matter ofthe copy can be easily and yaccurately read from line to line.

The various features of the invention will appear from the followingdescription of one embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing, Wherein;

5120 Figure 1 is an elevation of the copy holder -mounted in position atthe side of a typewriter, the view being taken from the front of themachine, Y Figure 2 is a detail plan of the fulcrum block "i5 end of thecopy holder, the copy supporting plate of the bracket being omitted, and

Figure 3 is an elevation partly in section along the line III-III ofFigure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail View of a modified form of 350 'fulcrum means.

l The embodiment shown consists of a metal fulcrum block I of convenientdimensions. The lblock is of right angle triangular shape providing a-at'end v'face 2 which is inclined to the 1onabutment for locationagainst'the side 3 of the machine frame .so that the block is inclinedlengthwise towards the front of the machine as will be clearlyunderstood by reference to Figure 2. The block has a flat base 4 whichrests on the surface 5 on which the machine (shown in chain dot lines)is supported. In the embodiment illustrated the fulcrum block isconstructed for disposition at the left side of the machine frame, butit will be clear that if the inclination of the end face 2 is madeopposite to that shown, the bock can be used at the right hand side ofthe machine. i

Any convenient inclination may be given to the end face, but in practiceit is found that it g can advantageously 'be at an angle such that thelongitudinal axis of the block will be disposed at an angle within to 60degrees to the side of the machine frame.

Within the block and extending longitudinally 20,

thereof from the inclined abutment face 2 to the opposite face 6, is apassage I having two fulcrums and 9 which are at different levels withrespect to the base 4 of the block, as shown in igures 1 and 3. '25

The other part of the copy holder consists of a bracket comprising a atplate IU at the bottom end of which is fixed a laterally projectinglever arm II having a flat portion I2 which can be passed through thepassage 1 of the block "30 and be supported on one of the vfulcrums 8and 9, the end I3 of this flat portion projecting from the block so asto engage under the side 3 of the machine frame; this side 3 is raisedfrom the supporting surface 5 by reason of the usual :35 feet providedon the machine. Due to the weight of the bracket on the side of thefulcrum remote from the machine, the end I3 of the arm II will lever upagainst the weight of the machine, and the bracket will thus besupported in an upright position alongside the machine and due to theinclination of the block with respect to the side 3 of the machineframe, the bracket will have a corresponding inclination providing aconvenient position for reading copy supported on the plate I0.

The provision of a plurality of .fulcrums-e'there may be more than twoas shown-enables the copy holder to be adjusted to machines the sideframes 3 of which are at different heights from 1.50 the supportingsurfaces, due to their feet being of diiierent relative heights. Byinserting the lever arm I I into the passage 'I so-that it rests on theappropriate fulcrum, it can be held by the Weight of the `machir-ie in a@substantial-ly T65 horizontal position, thereby to ensure that theholder is retained properly in position.

As an additional means of securing the holder in position alongside themachine, the fulcrum block l is provided with an adjustable clampingdevice which applies pressure to the lever arm Il to clamp the blockdown to the supporting surface 5 against the weight of the machine.Conveniently, such clamping device takes the form of a screw it whichscrews through the top of the block l so as to engage the arm 'll on theside of the fulcrurn (8 or 3) remote from the side 3 of the machine, theupper fulcrum 8 having a hole l5 (tapped, if desired) through which thescrew i4 can pass, when the lever arm is resting on the lower fulcrum 9.Greater leverage may be exerted by the screw M, if the fulcrums 8 and 9are disposed nearer the inclined abutment face 2 than they are in theembodiment shown.

For purposes of strength, the bracket is braced by a stay i6 connectedbetween the lever arm il andthe back of the copy support plate Iii, andthe portion of the lever arm connecting the attened end portion l2 tothe plate I is of L. or channel section. Y

Associated with the lever arm and extending across the front of theplate is an upstanding iiange ll which forms a channel for the supportof the lower end of the copy matter, this flange forming part of thelever arm or an extension of the plate l0.

A line guide and clip for retaining the copy in place on the plate lllmay take any suitable form; in the embodiment shown, a bar I8 servesthis purpose being slidably mounted on the plate by having turned overends which embrace the sides of the plate and one or each of which havea screw i8 for xing the bar in position. Alternatively, the bar may beslidably mounted at one end only and may be pivoted to lift up; thus itcan have a sleeve at one end which slides on a rod, being retained inadjusted position by a screw.

It will be seen that the arm ii when mounted in the fulcrum block, I, isa two arm lever of which the long arm carries the copy support plate I0,and is of such a length that the latter is disposed clear of theover-run of the carriage of the typewriter or other machine alongsidewhich the copy holder is mounted.

Various modifications or additions may be made in the constructionaldetails without departing from the spirit of the invention. Forinstance, each fulcrum may be mounted in a separate passage through theblock l, or with a view to providing greater adjustment as to the heightof the iulcrum, the fulcrum may consist oi a pin 2| (Figure 4) which canbe inserted into one of a number of holes 22 made in the outer wall 2i]of the block, there being a corresponding number of holes (tapped, ifdesired) in the opposite wall of the block to receivey the end of thepin.

In the embodiment illustrated the copy Support plate l@ is held in anupright position and at a rearward tilt for convenient sighting.Provision may, however, be made for enabling the tilt of the plate l tobe adjusted and/or its angle with respect to the machine to be alteredindependently of the block.

In cases when the typewriter and like machine is placed in a tray, thenthe short arm of the lever arm, i. e. the flattened portion l2, will betray and under the side of the machine.

I claim 1. A copy holder for typewriters, calculating and like machinescomprising a bracket for supporting the copy, and having a laterallyprojecting lever arm, and a fulcrum block for disposition at the side ofthe machine, with said lever arm supported thereon and having an enddisposed under the frame of the machine so that the bracket is held bythe Weight of the machine in an upright position.

2. A copy holder as set forth in claim 1, in combination with adjustablemeans which engage the lever arm on the side of the fulcrum remote fromthe machine to apply pressure to the block against the weight of themachine whereby the bracket and block are clamped to the surface onwhich it rests.

3, A copy'holder for typewriters, calculating and like machinescomprising a fulcrum block for disposition at the side of the machineand having an inner fulcrum, and a bracket for supporting the copy, saidbracket being provided with a laterally projecting lever arm passingthrough the block so that it is supported by the inner fulcrum and hasits end disposed under the machine frame.

4. A copy holder for typewriters, calculating and like machinescomprising a iulcrum block for disposition at the side of the machine, abracket 'for supporting the copy, said bracket being provided with alaterally projecting lever arm passing through the block so that its endcan be disposed under the machine frame, and means within the block bywhich the lever arm can be supported and fulcrumed at different levelsin relation to the bottom of the block.

5. A copy holder as set forth in claim fi, in combination with aclamping screw passing through the top of the block on the side of theiulcrum remote from the side of the block which lies adjacent themachine, said screw engaging the lever arm to press its end tightlyunder the machine against the weight thereof and thereby clamp the blockto the surface on which it rests.

6. A copy holder for typewriters, calculating and like machines,comprising a ulcrum block for disposition at the side of the machine, abracket for supporting the copy, said bracket being provided with alaterally projecting lever arm passing through the block so that its endcan be disposed under the machine frame, a plurality of ulcrums withinthe block by which the lever arm can be supported and fulcrumed atdifferent levels in relation to the bottom of the block, adjustablemeans on the block for pressing on the arm to lever it about the fulcrumagainst the weight of the machine.

7. A copy holder for typewriters, calculating and like machines,comprising a fulcrum block for disposition at the side of the machine, abracket for supporting the copy, said bracket being provided with alaterally projecting lever arm passing through the block so that. itsend can be disposed under the machine frame, a fulcrurn within the blockfor supporting the lever arm, means ,for adjusting the height of thefulcrum, and adjustable means on the block for pressing on the arm tolever it about the fulcrum against the weight of the machine.

8. A copy holder for typewriters, calculating and like machines,comprising a fulcrum block for disposition at the side of the machine,`a bracket for supporting the copy, said bracket being provided with alaterally projecting lever arm, and means for mounting the lever armenthe block so that it is inclined towards the front of the machine,including an inner fulcrum on which the lever arm rests with its endengaging under the machine frame, and a clamping screw on the side ofthe fulcrum remote from thelever end for applying pressure to clamp saidend firmly to the machine frame. l

9. A copy holder for typewriters, calculating and like machines,comprising a fulcrum block with an end face inclined to the longitudinalaxis of the block for location against the machine frame, and alongitudinal passage through said block, a bracket for supporting thecopy, Vsaid bracket being provided with a laterally projecting leverarm, fulcrum means for supporting the lever arm within said passage withits end engaging under the machine frame, and clamping means forapplying pressure to hold said end firmly against the machine frame.

10. A. copy holder for typewriting machines and the like, comprising abracket for supporting the copy and including a lever arm, a `blockadapted to be positioned beside the frame of the machine and selectivefulcrum means in the block on which a portion of the said lever arm mayrest when the end of the arm is engaged beneath a portion of the machineframe.

THOMAS LEWIS COPPOCK.

